The T20 World Cup 2026 features a high-profile India vs Pakistan encounter scheduled for this evening. The match will be played at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with the start set for 7 PM.
Uncertainty had surrounded the fixture in recent days, but the ICC’s intervention ensured the contest goes ahead. Both teams are preparing for a competitive face-off, with conditions expected to influence key decisions at the toss.
Rain Threat Looms Over Colombo Match
Weather conditions remain a major concern ahead of the game. Forecasts indicate nearly a 90 percent chance of rain around match time near the Premadasa Stadium. There are also indications that persistent rain could disrupt or even halt play.
In view of this risk, discussions around a reserve day have emerged. If required, the match could continue on February 16 at 7 PM. Officials are understood to be cautious given the scale of the event and the possible financial impact if the fixture does not proceed as planned.
Team Strategy and Likely Playing XIs
With rain expected, bowling first may be preferred by the team winning the toss. Conditions under lights could favour chasing, making early decisions critical.
For India, Abhishek Sharma is set to feature, which may affect Sanju Samson’s place in the lineup.
India Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.
Pakistan Probable XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed.
The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports and streamed on Jio Hotstar.
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